Rashid Khan played an exceptional all-round performance as Afghanistan secured automatic qualification for the 2027 ODI World Cup by defeating Ireland.
The match took place at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast on 10 August 2026. Rashid took three wickets for 44 runs to restrict Ireland to a total of 206 before scoring an unbeaten 37 to guide his team to a three-wicket victory.
This win ensures that eighth-ranked Afghanistan will make its fourth consecutive appearance at the 50-over World Cup, which will be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. By winning this third match of the five-match series, Afghanistan officially became the ninth team to confirm its place in the next World Cup tournament. This result also ended Ireland’s hopes for direct qualification.
Afghanistan Secures Historic Direct Qualification
The victory in Belfast is an important milestone for Afghan cricket. The victory in the third ODI ensured the team’s qualification for the 2027 event without needing to play a qualifying tournament. Afghanistan needed to win both their earlier matches in the series to confirm their automatic qualification. They won the second ODI by 92 runs after the first was abandoned due to rain and then followed up with this tense three-wicket victory.
This will be Afghanistanβs fourth successive ODI World Cup appearance. The team has shown incredible growth since its debut and their current eighth world ranking represents them as an emerging force in international cricket. Meanwhile, the loss was a big blow for Ireland as hopes of automatic qualification ended with this series result.
READ MORE: Ireland Miss Direct 2027 ODI World Cup Qualification, Set for Qualifier
Rashid Khan Leads the Fightback in Belfast
Afghanistan won the toss and chose to bowl, with Rashid Khan leading the attack. Rashid dismissed Cade Carmichael, Harry Tector and Mark Adair. He took 3 wickets for 44 runs in his 10 overs.
However, his most important contribution came with the bat. Afghanistan started their chase well but later collapsed from 97 for two to a dangerous 176 for seven. Rashid Khan walked to the crease and remained calm under pressure. He scored 37 runs from 43 balls, hitting four boundaries during his innings.
Furthermore, he shared a vital unbeaten partnership of 31 runs for the eighth wicket with Yamin Ahmadzai, who scored 4 runs from 26 balls to help finish the game in the 45th over.
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Ireland Struggles Against Afghan Spin Attack
Ireland were eventually bowled out for 206 runs in 46.3 overs. At one point, Ireland was struggling at 128 for eight, but a late recovery helped them pass the 200-mark. Gavin Hoey and Jai Moondra shared a 76-run stand for the ninth wicket to give their team a fighting chance.
Gavin Hoey was the leading scorer for the hosts with 36 runs off 67 deliveries. Cade Carmichael scored 32 runs, and Jai Moondra scored 31 runs. But despite those efforts, it was Afghanistan spinners who dominated the middle overs. Apart from Rashid Khan taking three wickets for only 29 runs in his nine overs, young spinner Allah Ghazanfar played exceptionally.
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Rahmanullah Gurbaz Anchors the Run Chase
Rahmanullah Gurbaz provided a strong start for Afghanistan. The opening batter scored 71 runs from 77 balls. His innings included five sixes and two fours, which put the Irish bowlers on the defensive early in the second innings. Consequently, Afghanistan looked set for an easy win before a flurry of wickets in the middle overs created a tense finish.
Irelandβs Gavin Hoey was the standout performer with the ball as well as the bat. He took four wickets for 34 runs in his 10 overs. Moreover, Mark Adair picked up two wickets for 36 runs. These wickets caused Afghanistan to slip to 175 for seven, but Rashid Khanβs experience eventually led the visitors to the target with 31 balls remaining.
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